Teen motorist allegedly injures sidewalk pedestrians

Veronica Rocha, veronica.rocha@latimes.com

Five people were hurt Saturday when an 18-year-old motorist crashed and pinned at least two pedestrians against the former Borders building, officials said.

Two of the five people were listed in stable condition Monday at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where one was being treated for fractures, and the other for a non-life-threatening head injury, said Glendale Fire Battalion Chief Greg Godfrey.

Paramedics transported two other victims to Glendale Adventist Medical Center, where they were treated for minor injuries, he added. The fifth victim was treated, but refused paramedic transport.

The motorist, Serineh Haghverdian, was traveling east on Broadway, near Brand Boulevard, about 1:38 p.m. when she told police the steering wheel slipped out of her hands and she lost control of her 2002 Hyundai, Lorenz said.

The Hyundai went over the south sidewalk and into the group of people, pinning at least two, fire officials said.

Among the injured was a man in a motorized wheelchair, which sustained about $5,000 in damages, Lorenz said.

Serineh Haghverdian’s father, Sarou Haghverdian, was cited on suspicion of giving false information to a police officer, Lorenz said, after he told police that he was the driver, not his daughter.

Police seized Serineh Haghverdian’s Hyundai, which they will inspect to determine if any mechanical failure occurred, Lorenz said.

She will likely be cited for illegally driving on a sidewalk, he added.